Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline Beginner Question

Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline Beginner Question

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    1
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline Beginner Question

    I am working on some designs and using a 3D printer to check that all my components work together. But afterwards I am going to have to make the parts out of aluminum or possibly something stronger. I am not working on any home building structural stuff. So my dilemma is do I buy and old Craftsman lathe/mill, Sherline or do I just get a 'CNC' machine?

    Would I learn anything by working with an old manual machine or just using the computerized version sufficient.

    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Member awerby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5728
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline Beginner Question

    You'd certainly learn things by using manual machines, getting a realistic idea of how fast to cut, what chips should look like if things are going well, and how to break up a job into a series of tasks for one machine or another. But if you're capable of making accurate CAD drawings and models, you'd be a lot more productive if you went the CNC route. Old Craftsman tools are not what I'd recommend; they weren't really the greatest when they were new, and once they've been abused for a while they might need more restoration work than they're worth. But Sherline makes manual as well as CNC versions of their lathes and mills, and they are high-quality tools. If your projects are small enough to fit their work envelopes, they would be a good machines to start learning about metal machining on. You can find out more about them on my site, under "Production".

    [FONT=Verdana]Andrew Werby[/FONT]
    [URL="http://www.computersculpture.com/"]Website[/URL]


Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline  Beginner Question

Buy a CNC or Craftman/Sherline  Beginner Question